After-Action Report, Assault on Khan IIIPDF Firebase Ephedus

While I am happy to report that Sigrdrífa Company accomplished its goals of securing PDF Firebase Ephedus, and aiding in the overall liberation of Pripyat, I must report that the enemy force was significantly stronger than anticipated, both in terms of force size and discipline. Whereas Imperial intelligence had reported that the majority of the enemy stationed at the firebase would be local heretical militia with a light compliment of Blood Pact. However, upon attack, we discovered a large number of off-world cultists, including Shebol Red-Hand’s own Charismites, and senior elite officers of the Blood Pact. The ornithopter landing pad had also been laced with daemonic runes of power, and corrupted at least one squad – further damage was only prevented thanks to the efforts of forward spotter teams directing mortar squads stationed in the rear.

As such, Sigrdrífa Company suffered much higher casualty rate than expected. Nine Platoon, who led the assault, lost two squads completely Secundus and Quintus; further more, more than half of Squad Primus was also lost in action. Several more have received wounds of varying degrees, including three critical. I have appended the names of those KIA and WIA below. I am officially requesting three squads of soldiers from Delta “Reserve” Battalion be transferred to Σ/Sigrdrífa-9.

At this time, my troops have finished securing the firebase, and are escorting Departmento Munitorum scrub teams to wash and clean out any remaining filth from the Archenemy. A team of priests from the Ecclesiarchy is also beginning the efforts of reconsecration of the base. I will alert you immediately when the base is deemed safe enough to use as your personal HQ.

In the Emperor’s name.

- Capt. Bokor

RE: After-Action Report, Assault on Khan IIIPDF Firebase Ephedus

Request for reinforcement temporarily denied, but not for the reasons you might think Captain. Please report with your entire company to the following coordinates immediately: Latitude: 0.85166, Longitude: 117.62431. Day code is A66λ. Repeat: Alpha-six-six-lambda. Geirönul Company from Beta Battalion will relieve your position.

Ave Imperator.

- Colonel Nicéphore

RE: RE: After-Action Report, Assault on Khan IIIPDF Firebase Ephedus

+ FROMCAPTAIN TERÉZIA ÁGI BOKOR +

+ TO COLONELAREC NICÉPHORE; ARMYGROUPSEJANUSCOMMAND, KHANIIITHEATRE +

+ DATED 249.773.M41 +

Sir:

Acknowledged. Sigrdrífa Company departing at 06:34 local standard time.

Pursuant to the vaunted tasks that the Warmaster has assigned us to, we have discovered significant evidence of the Archenemy’s efforts on Khan III. Documents and other evidence recovered by soldiers of the 63rd Elchingen Hussars were from Inquisitorial Asset [REDACTED], who is still listed as MIA. Intel includes:

Heretical forces on this planet have received unusually high training from Blood Pact forces.

Blood Pact forces have brought both xenos and traitor human mercenaries planetside, including Excubitors, Loxatl, and Sileraioi. Documents also make reference to a currently unknown second xenos type.

Information and intel on local resistance forces, which disturbingly silent one month before planetfall, including contact codes.

We have also secured evidence regarding the sheer lack of civilians. While the Blood Pact is known to commit mass genocide as a means of initially cowing the resistant populaces of conquered Imperial planets, we have found none of the infamous so-called “murder pits” thus far. Evidence points that all non-heretical civilians left as refugees to the hives, early on in the invasion. It is our hope that there are still civilian forces in the hives.

As such, Inquisitor Corman is requesting a small detachment of Guardsmen to accompany his own personal forces as he infilitrates Hive Ngorkah (assault plans detailed below). He believes that if followed accordingly, he should able to be inside Hive Ngorkah within a Terran standard month (roughly 34 days local). It will require at least two army groups, including Sejanus and one of your lords choosing.